THE MAGICAL NIGHT OF DANCING WHEN “NO ONE WAS WATCHING” By Olga Foraponov

  • Posted by CDC
THE MAGICAL NIGHT OF DANCING WHEN “NO ONE WAS WATCHING” By Olga Foraponov

 

Many years ago, Brian Torner and I were judging in a Russian National ranking & points event organized by the Juri & Tatiana Sivers in  Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. After that competition, we joined others and went to the “after party” – in a night club atmosphere, we enjoyed socializing and discussed the great competition. While there, Brian and I had a few drinks, a light meal, and some enjoyable social dances wherein we quickly arrived at the point that we felt like “No one was watching’’.

With low lighting and elegant music, we both relied upon our senses to react to the music and bring about through the art of improvisation, a special focus of partnering technique activating with shifting, sensitivity in weight transfer , (non-verbal) communication of body weight as understood in the ballroom world. We became totally absorbed in sharing this experience with each other.
After we finished dancing, we received many favourable compliments. Some of our friends said “It seemed like time did not exist for us.” Because of this experience, Brian  and I both agreed that one day we should relate this magical experience to other dancers… But life moved on and we didn’t act immediately on this opportunity.

Keep in mind that Brian and I have been friends for a long time but we never been dance partners. Brian s from Toronto and I hail from Washington State. We’d never had any particular reason to practice or rehearse dance together
YEAR1 UNESCO International Dance Day OPEN HOUSE
produced & moderated by Brian Torner
https://youtu.be/1-5tPvcQavo
Recently, about 20 years later, in 2013 when I was visiting Brian’s family’s venue The Continental Dance Club in Mississauga just outside Toronto, Canada, that we acted and recalled our magical time together on the dance floor in  Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. So, on the spur off a moment, with no rehearsal, no discussion, no exchange of ideas or choreography, we just hoped somehow to relive a similar experience of musical improvisation  …it did … and really much more.
When we viewed our video, we were impressed with how the mental and emotional impact of music could translate subconsciously through our dance connection to bring about the improvisation of intention committing body weight through shifts, transfers and magical connections that resulted in a beautiful, unique choreography.
We both agreed that this experience was so rewarding,
…………that we would like to share it with other dancers. 
AND SO OUR JOURNEY takes us to an analysis  EACH IN OUR OWN WAY …
OF WHAT HAPPENED HERE
STAY TUNED!